Pinewood Derby

Ryan has been enjoying his first year of cub scouts, although it has felt a bit scattered from our end.  Bless his den leaders hearts, they are trying their best.  But I think an hour for a meeting, twice a month, with a bunch of 6 and 7 year old boys, is just hard to get anything done.  But we are finally starting to get somewhere with it -- the scouts were learning about Teamwork, and these past two weeks Ryan had to pick 2 chores to do at home to help out his "team" (aka, his family) and do them 3 times each week.  And man has he been on it!  Making his bed and sweeping the kitchen floor.  Without much more than a gentle reminder.  Makes me happy to see what can come our way -- once I get my act together and start enforcing regular chores.  One of these days...
But a few weekends back was the entire Scout Pack Pinewood Derby.  Eddy and Ryan had been working on building this car all month.  I had to work on the day of the derby, but Eddy was there and said it was a fun event.  Ryan's car came in first in his heat, but then he came in 7th overall in his Den (out of maybe 14 boys).  Not bad for their first go around! With plenty of ideas for improvements for next year.

He designed the shape of the car himself -- and we borrowed another dad's bandsaw to make it.  And then Ryan came up with the color scheme and artistic design all on his own.  Complete with lightning bolts on the sides and all.  Turned out great! 

At the Derby.  One of the other little sisters felt the need to jump in to this pic with KK! 

winner of his heat!